“There is no other word for it: the divisions between Christians are a scandal.”
These are the words of Pope Francis during his catechesis Wednesday, January 22 in Rome, as the universal Church draws near the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
In the Holy Land as well something of this unity underway is being lived out in everyday life.
In fact each day, in families, on the streets, in schools and in Christian institutions, the various denominations cross paths with one another as they work together.
However, during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, a certain bewilderment is experienced with regards to the Universal Church. While throughout the rest of the world this week begins January 18, in the Holy Land, on the same date, priority is given to Christmas of the Armenians. For this reason, often the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is celebrated beginning on the first Saturday following the two days of the Armenian festivities.
In Jerusalem, this year the celebrations begin Saturday, January 25.
Organized by a Commission which re-unites the thirteen oldest Churches present in the city, the Week invites participants to go from one Church to the other, offering an extraordinary opportunity to visit sister Churches.
Program
Saturday, January 25th at 5:30 p.m. - Calvary, Anastasi s (Holy Sepulchre) , Greek Orthodox Office of “Apodeipnon” (Compline)
Sunday, January 26 at 5:00 p.m. - Anglican Cathedral Church of St. George – Nablus Road
Monday, January 27 at 5:00 p.m. - Armenian Cathedral of St. James, the Old City
Tuesday, January 28 at 5:00 p.m. - Lutheran Church of the Redeemer – the Old City, near the Holy Sepulchre
Wednesday, January 29 at 5:00 p.m. - Syrian Orthodox Church of St. Mark, the Old City
Thursday, January 30 at 4:00 p.m. - the Upper Room (Cenacle) – Mount Zion
Friday, January 31 at 5:00 p.m. - Latin Patriarchate Church – the Old City starting from Jaffa Gate
Saturday, February 1 at 5:00 p.m. - Ethiopian Orthodox Church – West Jerusalem – Ethiopia Street
Sunday, February 2 at 5:00 p.m. - Greek Catholic Church of the Annunciation – the Old City near Jaffa Gate
These are the words of Pope Francis during his catechesis Wednesday, January 22 in Rome, as the universal Church draws near the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
In the Holy Land as well something of this unity underway is being lived out in everyday life.
In fact each day, in families, on the streets, in schools and in Christian institutions, the various denominations cross paths with one another as they work together.
However, during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, a certain bewilderment is experienced with regards to the Universal Church. While throughout the rest of the world this week begins January 18, in the Holy Land, on the same date, priority is given to Christmas of the Armenians. For this reason, often the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is celebrated beginning on the first Saturday following the two days of the Armenian festivities.
In Jerusalem, this year the celebrations begin Saturday, January 25.
Organized by a Commission which re-unites the thirteen oldest Churches present in the city, the Week invites participants to go from one Church to the other, offering an extraordinary opportunity to visit sister Churches.
Program
Saturday, January 25th at 5:30 p.m. - Calvary, Anastasi s (Holy Sepulchre) , Greek Orthodox Office of “Apodeipnon” (Compline)
Sunday, January 26 at 5:00 p.m. - Anglican Cathedral Church of St. George – Nablus Road
Monday, January 27 at 5:00 p.m. - Armenian Cathedral of St. James, the Old City
Tuesday, January 28 at 5:00 p.m. - Lutheran Church of the Redeemer – the Old City, near the Holy Sepulchre
Wednesday, January 29 at 5:00 p.m. - Syrian Orthodox Church of St. Mark, the Old City
Thursday, January 30 at 4:00 p.m. - the Upper Room (Cenacle) – Mount Zion
Friday, January 31 at 5:00 p.m. - Latin Patriarchate Church – the Old City starting from Jaffa Gate
Saturday, February 1 at 5:00 p.m. - Ethiopian Orthodox Church – West Jerusalem – Ethiopia Street
Sunday, February 2 at 5:00 p.m. - Greek Catholic Church of the Annunciation – the Old City near Jaffa Gate